The Ford government is giving the green light for drivers to put pedal to the metal on the province’s highways as part of his government’s ongoing plans to fight gridlock.
Premier Doug Ford announced Wednesday the speed limit will be increased to 110 kilometres an hour on all 400-series highways “where it is safe to do so.”
“Safety comes first over anything and then we’ll work on the rest but wouldn’t it great if we could even get over 50 kilometres an hour on the 401 in rush hour through this city. That would be incredible,” said Ford.
In 2022, the government permanently increased the speed limit on six sections of provincial highways in southern Ontario as well as two sections in northern Ontario on a two-year trial basis.
In July 2024, the speed limit increased from 100 kilometres an hour to 110 across 10 sections of provincial highways, including Highway 401 from Colborne to Belleville and from Belleville to Kingston, as well as Highway 403 from Woodstock to Brantford and from Brantford to Hamilton.
Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria noted that along with the speed increase the province has also introduced some of the harshest penalties for anybody involved in careless and impaired driving.
“We’re taking away licenses for life, we’re suspending people longer,” said Sarkaria.
On the subject of gridlock, Ford was asked about the province buying back Highway 407 or paying for commercial trucks to use the toll-highway.
“All options are on the table, maybe both options,” said Ford while pointing out that gridlock is costing the provincial economy $11 billion a year and costing commuters 100 hours sitting in traffic on Highway 401.
The Mike Harris Progressive Conservative government sold Highway 407 in 1999 for $3.1 billion to a consortium that included SNC Lavalin, Quebec’s provincial pension fund and Spanish company Ferrovial.
The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 50.01 per cent of 407 ETR, which runs the tolled highway.
The province owns a 22-kilometre stretch on the highway’s eastern flank and tolls drivers at a significantly cheaper rate than the private portion of the highway.
Files from The Canadian Press were used in this report